Nestlé apologizes to parents after precautionary infant formula recall linked to ingredient quality issue 

SWITZERLAND – Nestlé has issued an apology to parents and caregivers following a precautionary recall of certain infant formula products across multiple countries, after identifying what it described as “a quality issue” linked to an ingredient used in production. 

Addressing consumers directly, Nestlé CEO Philipp Navratil said the company announced the recall last week “as a precaution after identifying a quality issue with an ingredient used in some of our products.” 

“Before I explain the situation in more detail, I first want to apologize sincerely for the worry and disruption this may have caused parents, caregivers and our customers,” Navratil said. 

According to the company, the issue was first confirmed in December at one of Nestlé’s factories in the Netherlands.

Navratil explained that this discovery prompted a voluntary recall in several European countries, carried out in coordination with national authorities.

Further investigations later traced the concern to “a specific raw material from one of our suppliers.” 

Once the source was identified, Nestlé halted distribution of all products containing the affected ingredient and expanded its precautionary recalls in early January.

The company emphasized that the action was taken to protect consumers while investigations continued. 

“I want to reassure you that there have been no confirmed cases of illness linked to the affected products to date,” Navratil said, adding that Nestlé believed it was essential “to act quickly and transparently.” 

In a separate statement published on its website, Nestlé said it had detected “a quality issue with an ingredient provided by a leading supplier” and confirmed it had tested all arachidonic acid (ARA) oil and related oil blends used in potentially affected infant nutrition products. 

The company noted that ARA oil is used in infant nutrition products sold globally, meaning the recall affects multiple brands and products across more than 50 countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Oceania and Africa.

Recall measures are being implemented on a country-by-country basis in line with local regulatory requirements. 

To support families during the disruption, Navratil said Nestlé has reinforced its call centres and deployed teams working around the clock to restore full product availability as quickly as possible. 

Nestlé stated that the recalled batches account for “significantly less than 0.5% of annual group sales” and that the financial impact is not expected to be material. 

“The safety and wellbeing of infants remain our top priority,” the company said, urging parents to follow guidance from local health authorities and contact Nestlé directly if they believe they have purchased affected products. 

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